The spiritual meaning of restructuring
The restructuring carried out in Africa in 2002 grouped the Marist works of nineteen countries in five Administrative Units: four Provinces and one District. The session of this day was dedicated to sharing the reflection of the brothers responsible for these Administrative Units of Africa with the General Council concerning the experience of these years in the region. In general there is a lot of satisfaction with the pathway travelled. ?We are happy with what has been done,? one of the assembly said. But at the same time, some doubts have shown themselves concerning the new possible changes in the Marist geography of Africa.
The most common thought interpreted restructuring as a process of geographic and administrative regrouping in order to obtain a greater efficiency of government of the Administrative Units in the Marist world. Seen in this way, restructuring seems to have links only with geographic borders and the competencies of government. But this perspective does not allow us to evaluate other positive dimensions of restructuring.
Brother Seán Sammon, Superior General, intervened in the assembly to assure, on the subject of restructuring, that it is necessary to understand it fundamentally from the spiritual perspective according to which the change, not only of place, but of mentality, interior attitudes is a personal and community value, often necessary and on occasion, painful, thanks to which it is necessary to seek the improvement of service of the mission such that it is concretised in viable options and gives rise to the vitality of the Institute. In this sense, restructuring is not yet finished. This vision allows a better understanding of the relationship that exists between restructuring and the mission and opens new perspectives for the life and personal and community commitment of the brothers.
The brothers who participated in this meeting understood deeply the meaning of restructuring, appreciating the positive aspects that it offers and conscious of the challenges that it presents, they showed the desire that it be consolidated in the entire Continent. At the same time, the Administrative Units are invited to develop the means of communication and to encourage the information and necessary formation so that the brothers have a better understanding of what restructuring supposes for them and for their communities.
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